A star was born at the Manx Grand Prix last week. Fresh from finishing third in the earlier Classic Lightweight TT to Bruce Anstey and Davey Todd, 19-year-old Jim Hind cleaned up in both Manx Grand Prix Lightweight races and was leading the Senior and Junior races until his Yamaha R6 broke down.
So while 50-year-old New Zealander Anstey rightly received all the admiration deserved for a hero’s amazing return, it was the teenager from Market Rasen in Lincolnshire who caught the eye with two wins, one third and two retirements when leading.
His performance in only his second year on the Mountain Circuit was an eye-opener for many who had never heard of him although he had finished second in the Newcomers’ race the year before. Especially in the opening race of the week, the Classic Lightweight, when he could have finished ahead of Todd if it had not been for a 30 second penalty for speeding in pitlane.
Later in the week he set a new lap record of 121.77 mph from a standing start in the Junior Manx before an oil leak forced him to stop and in the Senior was leading on the first lap until his throttle started playing up at Ballaugh Bridge and he had to stop. Both were on the R6 used for short circuits.
“I wasn’t expecting to do that well I must say but I had a much slower bike the year before so I thought I could do something. I have been racing for six years. I started when I was 14 with an Aprilia 125, a converted road bike, at Darley Moor,” he tolf bikesportnews.com.
“I did three years at that and won the championship each year. In 2016 we bought a 125 Honda and did the National Championship. It was a steady year but in 2017 I won the championship and I also got a Yamaha R6 to ride in Thundersport.
“I’ve ridden that every year, was second last year and with two rounds still to go and lying second again, having missed one round for the Manx, so I’m hoping to win it.
My mum and dad (Julie and Geoff) have supported me so far but since the Manx I’ve had a few phone calls. The 600 is supplied by North Lincs Components and we maintain it but don’t pay penny so we’re grateful for that.
“Next year I’d like to do the odd British Championship on the 600, carry on doing Thundersport and do the International road races. I love road racing and that will be my priority.”
A lorry mechanic since leaving school at an early age, he has recently been engaged moving cars around Immingham Docks to give him more time for his racing. Asked who his racing hero was, the youngster’s reply came without hesitation: ”Robert Dunlop. He had such determination when coming back from injuries. And I liked his attitude to racing.”
